Top roll assembly for fiber attenuating apparatus



Feb. 2, 1965 B. c. COLE 3,167,320

TOP ROLL ASSEMBLY FOR FIBER ATTENUATING APPARATUS 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed June 4, 1962 INVENTOR. Burre/ C. Co/e I: and fiffarrzeys Feb. '2, 1965' B. c. COLE 3 7,

TOP ROLL ASSEMBLY FOR FIBER ATTENUATING APPARATUS 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed June 4, 1962 INVENT R.

Burr-e, C. Co a.

,MfM Hffo rneys Feb. 2, 1965 B. c. COLE 3,167,820

TOP ROLL ASSEMBLY FOR FIBER ATTENUATING APPARATUS Filed June 4, 1962 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR.

Burre/ C. Cole Zfw.' mvw United States Patent 3,167,820 TOP ROLL ASSEMBLY FOR FIBER ATTENUATENG APPARATUS Burrel C. Cole, 1328 13 th St, Columbus, Ga, assignor of fifty percent to Charlton H. Williams, Columbus, Ga. Filed June 4, 1962, Ser. No. 199,910 11 Claims. (Cl. 19-453) This invention relates to a top roll assembly for fiber attenuating apparatus and more particularly to an over arm assembly for positioning and weighing top roll units.

An object of my invention is to provide a top roll assembly for fiber attenuating apparatus which may be preassembled and installed in an over arm by means of a single bolt, slotted opening and an exposed nut and at the same time permitting forward or rearward adjustment of the complete assembly to establish correct position without changing predetermined pressure distribution.

Another object of my invention is to provide a top roll assembly of the character designated which shall include improved leverage mechanism for applying pressure whereby a relatively light and sensitive single coil spring, or the like, may be employed.

Another object of my invention is to provide a top roll assembly of the character designated which shall be particularly adapted for dual apron type apparatus having self-tightening bottom aprons.

Another object of my invention is to provide a top roll assembly of the character designated which shall include exposed means for adjusting the lever of the pressure lever, thereby permitting accurate adjustment without disassembly.

Another object is to provide a spring loaded pressure unit wherein exact compression may be obtained by an arm level adjustment and visible means is provided for determining when correct compression is obtained.

A further object of my invention is to provide a top roll unit of the character designated which shall be simple of construction and one which permits predetermined adjustments to properly distribute pressure on all top rolls and at the same time may position and align certain of the top rolls.

A further object of my invention is to provide a top roll assembly wherein pressure is applied on the neck of a top roll forward or rearward of a plane passing through the centers of superimposed bottom and top rolls, thus reducing or increasing normal forward thrust on the top roll.

A still further object of my invention is to provide a top roll assembly of the character designated in which pressure is applied to a connector bracket extending between a pair of top rolls by a roller element which engages an elongated groove or recess in the top of the connector bracket, the base of the groove being at an angle to a plane passing through the centers of superimposed top and bottom rolls to thereby decrease or increase normal forward thrust.

Heretofore in the art to which my invention relates, it is well known that a pair of bottom line aprons encircling a bottom line roll and bottom nose bar or bars may be employed to position and align top and bottom nose bars and one or more top rolls, thus automatically tightening the bottom aprons. Where only one top roll is involved in the unit, the normal forward thrust is approximately that required for tightening the bottom apron. However, when two or more top rolls are employed in the unit, the

normal forward thrust is'too great and the bottom, aprons pass around the nose bars with excess friction. This not only interferes with smooth travel of the aprons, but also increases the torque load on the bottom line roll, thus overloading the gearing employed in driving the apparatus. To overcome these objections, I provide a top roll "Ice assembly wherein pressure is applied at an angle to a connector bracket which connects a pair of top rolls, thereby decreasing the normal forward thrust. However, if desired, the forward thrust may be increased by changing the angle at which pressure is applied to the connector bracket for the top rolls.

Top roll assemblies embodying features of my invention are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this application, in which:

FIG. 1 is a vertical sectional view through a complete assembly;

FIG. 2 is a fragmental sectional view taken generally along the line 2-2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a top plan view, drawn to a smaller scale;

FIG. 4 is an exploded view showing the pressure applying levers, the connector bracket for a pair-of rolls and the nose bar assemblies therefor;

FIG. 5 is a vertical sectional view through a modified form of my invention in which a four roll draftingas sembly is employed; and,

FIG. 6 is an enlarged isometric view showing the top nose bar for the assembly shown in FIG. 5.

Referring now to the drawings for a better understanding of my invention, I show a roll stand'lll supporting front, middle and back line rolls 11, 12 and 13, respectively.

Mounted for rotation above the middle bottom line roll 12 is a middle top roll 14. Mounted for rotation above the back bottom line roll 13 is a back top roll 16. The top rolls 14 and 16 are held in spaced relation to each other and in parallel alignment with the bottom line rolls 12 and 13 by a connector bracket indicated genorally at 17. The connector bracket 17 is provided with transverse recesses 18 and 19 for receiving the shafts of the top rolls 14 and 16, respectively. Suitable spring grip members 21 extend between the recesses 18 and 19, as shown in FIG. 1 in position for the free ends thereof to engage the shafts of the rolls 14 and 16 whereby the rolls are held within the recesses 18 and 19. The spring clip member 21 is secured to the connector bracket 17 by a suitable screw 22. The spring clip member 21 thus permits the rolls 14 and 16 to be snapped into and out of the recesses 18 and 19.

Forwardly opening slots 23 and 24 are provided in the forward end of the connector bracket 17 for receiving top and bottom nose bars 26 and 27, respectively. The nose bars 26 and 27 are held within the slots 23 and 24 by suitable means, such as a metal clip 28 having a curved upper end for easy handling. A suitable opening 29 is provided through the clip member for receiving a retaining screw 31. As shown in FIG. 1, the uppermost slot 23 has a greater depth than the lowermost slot 24 whereby a shim 32 may be inserted at either side of the top nose bar 26 to thereby vary the distance between the nose bars 26 and 27.

Pressure is applied to the connector bracket 17 by an over arm assembly indicated generally at 33. The over arm assembly comprises a generally U-shaped housing 34 which is pivotally supported by a pivot pin 36 from a base member 37 which in turn is attached to a torsion bar 38 carried by the roll stand 10. The housing 34 is raised and lowered by a toggle lever 39 having pivot pins 41 and 42 and an upstanding, internally threaded sleeve member 43. Threadedly engaging the sleeve 43 is a threaded member 44 having a suitable recess 45 therein for receiving an operating tool whereby the threaded member 44 may be rotated to vary the efiective length ma directionto reduce normal mounting bracket' lfi'having depending members 49 adja centthe forward end thereof. The mounting bracketed 51 is secured in selected positions by a nut 53.

Pivotallyconnected to the depending members 49 isa first pressure lever armSt-l, there being suitable openings 56 in the depending members 49' and suitable openings '57 in the lever arm 54'for: receiving a pivot pin58. In-

terposed between the other end of the pressure lever member 54 and the inner surface of the mounting bracket 48 is a compression spring 59. A suitable opening and spring guide 61 is provided to restrain movement of the lower end of the spring 59 relative to the lever 54. Also,

the mounting bracket 48 is provided. witha suitable depression 62' for holding the upper end of the spring 59 against shifting relative to the mounting bracket.

Pivotally connected to the pressure lever 54 intermedi ate the pivot pin 58 and the spring 59 is a yoke 63. Suit able openings 64 are provided in the yoke 63 for'reoeiving a pivot pin 66. Adjustably connectedto the yoke 63 is a second pressure lever 67. An elongated recess 63 is pro in' lateral position by the. guide pins 93.

To install the top roll unit, the forward end 'of the over arm is lifted whereby; it pivots about the pivotpin 56. The top aprons 91 are preinstalledraround the'top nose bar 26 and the middle top roll 14 whereby they are held The bottom aprons 92 are installed by"lifting the back top. roll. 16 which .causes the lower nose bar 27 to move inwardly to- Ward'themiddle bottom roll 12. In this position, the apronwill pass freely over the guide pins 93 for installation about the middle bottom roll 12 and the lower nose bar 27. Upon loweringthe back .top roll 16, the lower nose bar 27 moves away from the bottom middle roll 12 whereby the roller 82 may be moved to selected positions vided in the pressure lever-'67 for receiving a depending member 69 carried by the yoke trii whereby the yoke is adapted for adjustment relative to the pressure lever67.

The bottom of the recess 68 is defined by a transverse memberfil having an elongated slot 72'therein for receiving a screw 73 whereby the depending portion 69 of the yoke 63' is connected to the pressure lever 67 at selected positions. V H V The width of the pressure lever-67 is substantially equal the widthv ofthe inside ,of: the U-shaped housing 34 whereby the pressure lever 67'is held in parallel alignment Y with the U-shaped housing 34 of the over arm. 1 A' transverse recess 74is provided in the forward portion of the i V pressurelever 67 for receiving the shaft 76 of afront top roll 77.] A spring clip 78 is secured to the pressure. lever 67 in position to engage the shaft 76 whereby the. front.

top roll 77 is held within the recess "74.

The rear end of the pressure lever 67 is bifurcated to provide rearwardly extending legs 79 and 81. 1 Mounted for rotation between the legs 7 9 and 81 is a disc-like roller. 82 which is supported by a pin 83 which extends through the roller 82 and suitable openings 84 provided in the legs 79 and 31. The upper surface of the connector bracket 17 is provided with an elongated groove 86 which isfof a width equal-substantially the width of the roller32 where by the roller 82 is adapted for free rotationwithinthe groove 86. As shown in FIG. 1,; the groove 86 is inclined in a forward: direction whereby force is exerted in a forward thrust on the top rolls 14 and 16. y v

The pressure lever 54 is offset as at 87 to provide a rearwardly extending portion 88which engages the spring 59 and extends past a vertically extending opening v89 which permits the operator to view the position of the along the groove 86. With ,the apparatus thus assembled, pressure is applied to :all three top rolls 7 7, 14, and 16 according .topredetermined calculations. Forward position of the-fronttoti roll 77 may be adjusted to proper location by loosening .nut-53 on bolt 51 which permits relative movementbetween thomounting bracket 48 and the'baseof the .Usshaped housing34, thereby relocating ,the. complete pressure unit. To prevent the" compression spring 59 from reachng'its maximum expansion when the over arm is lifted extension 88 of lever-54 strikes the upper surface of base member 37'. I

In Operation; the'normal travel ofthebottom aprons 92 causes the top aprons 91- to follow. a With the: aprons thus rotating, thetop roll unit consisting of the nose bars 26 and 27, connectoribracketifl and-the top rolls associated therewith-has aftendency to' thrust forward. Since the middle line top roll 14 and the back line top rolls 16 are nornially forward of; the eenter'line of the subjacent, cooperating" bottom line -rolls whenfwertical 7 pressure is applied, this forward thrust isygreatly increased pressure lever 54 and thereby determine when proper .springcompression, is provided. To adjust spring compression; the nut 46 is loosened and the adjusting, threaded member 44 is rotated in the proper direction'tornove the pressure lever-5410 the proper 'level. The compression springs 59 has a given capacity when compressed to a given length and the pressure applied to the pressure lever 67 is calculated according to the-leverage of -pres-,

sure lever 54 in 131113111161 well understood in the .art

Although the compression spring'SSt is concealed, the vertically extending SlOt'39 permits proper adjustment.

Passing around the middle top roll 14 andvthe' top nosej bar 26 is a top apron 91. In like manner, a bottom apron 92 passesaround'therniddle bottom roll. 12'arid the lower nose bar 27. To prevent lateral shifting of the. aprons 91 and-92 relative to the nose bars 26 and" 27, I provide out 7 and is restrained only bythe pair" of bottom aprons 92.

T o prevent the bottom aprons from becoming too tight for free travel around the nose bars, the forwardly'inclined base of the recess or'groove 86 is engaged by the roller 82 whereby a portionof the downwardpressure is rearwardly. Thatis, the application ,ofthe'pressure ina downwardly and rearward direction oifsets a' portion of the forwardthrust. Accordingly; by precalculation, any

desiredtension'of the bottom aprons maybe established and at the same time the top rollassembly is perfectly free to adjust its position according to the diameters of V the bottom aprons 92.

Referring now to FIGS.5.;and 6 of the drawing, I show a slightly modified form" of over arm assembly which may be employed onfour-line, double draft systems. The

. assembly'indicated generally at33? comprises agenerally U-shaped over arm housing 34 havingja mounting bracket,

th adjustably connected thereto by a bolt 5ll and nut 53 The mounting bracketfiiii has depending members 49-? which are piyot-allyconnected to the forward end of a pressure lever Se by a pivot pin 58; The rear end of the pressure lever- 54* indicated: atv 83 xextendsjpast a mounting bracket 48 I [lever 54 vertical slot 89 V A compressionspring. 59 is interposedbetween the and the'rear portio'n of the. pressure whereby downward pressure is exerted on the rear endof the pressure lever d i in thesameirnanner as pressure is appliedto' the rear portion of pressure lever 54 described hereinabove. A secondxpressure lever 67 is pivotally connected to the pressure lever 54 inter- .mediate the 'pin'58 andthe spr'ing 59? by 'a pivot pin sides of the aprons.

. by a yokememberod having a depending. portion 69 whichridesfin anl ielon'gated recess 71 provided in the The'pressure lever67 f is connected-to the pin 66f pressure lever 67. The member 69 is held in selected positions by suitable means, such as a screw or bolt 73*. Connector brackets 17 are adjustably connected 'to each end of the pressure lever 67 by pivot pins 96 and bracket members 97. The bracket members 97 are adjustably connected to the connector brackets 17 by suitable bolts 98. An elongated slot 99 is provided in each of the connector brackets 17 for receiving the brackets 97 whereby they may be moved to selected positions.

Each of the connector brackets is provided with a downwardly opening recess 101 adjacent the forward end thereof for receiving a top roll 14*. The rear portion of the connector bracket 17 extends transversely of the shaft of a top roll 16*.

The top rolls 14 and 16 cooperate with bottom line rolls 12 and 13 in a manner well understood in the art. Passing around the top rolls 16 and a top nose bar 102 is a top apron 91 In like manner, passing around the bottom rolls 13 and a lower nose bar 103 is a bottom apron 92 The nose bars 102 and 103 are supported by a cradle assembly indicated generally at 104 whereby the nose bars 102 and 103 are adapted for free movement in a vertical plane toward and away from the top rolls 13 and 16 The top nose bar 102 is of a substantial width, as clearly shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 to prevent or hinder apron separation. The nose bar 102 is held in spaced relation to the shaft of the top rolls 16 by suitable brackets 106 having open slots 107 in the ends thereof for engaging the shafts of the associated top rolls. Preferably, bearing inserts 103 are inserted in the openings 107. Such bearing inserts may be formed of any suitable material, such as plastic or'the like.

From the foregoing, it will be seen that I have devised an improved top roll assembly. By providing a top roll assembly wherein the downward pressure exerted by the pressure unit is in a generally downwardly and rearwardly direction, the tension on the bottom aprons may be reduced and accurately controlled whereby the top roll assembly is perfectly free to adjust its position according to the diameters of the bottom line aprons. Also, by providing an over arm assembly which may be readily assembled and disassembled by the release of a single nut, the over all time for installation and maintenance of my apparatus is greatly reduced. Furthermore, by providing a pressure unit wherein pressure is applied to a subjacent connector bracket by a roller and groove arrangement, the forward thrust may be increased or decreased and at the same time the pressure unit is held against lateral shifting.

While I have shown my invention in several forms, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that it is not so limited, but is susceptible of various other changes and modifications without departing from the spirit thereof, and I desire, therefore, that only such limitations shall be placed thereupon as are specifically set forth in the appended claims.

What I claim is:

1. In a top roll assembly for fiber attenuating apparatus including a supporting roll stand, top rolls and bot-tom line rolls (a) an over arm having a housing of generally inverted U-shape as viewed in cross section,

(b) means pivotally supporting said over arm adjacent the rear of said roll stand whereby said over arm extends forwardly thereof,

(0) adjustable means to lock said over arm against upward movement relative to said roll stand,

(d) an inwardly projecting adjustable bracket carried by the inner surface of said over arm,

(a) means tohold said bracket in selected positions relative to said over arm,

(1) a first pressure lever pivotally connected adjacent one end to said bracket,

(g) a spring member interposed between the other end of said first pressurelever and said bracket to exert force in a direction to move said other end away from said bracket,

(h) and a second pressure lever pivotally connected intermediate its ends to said first pressure lever between said spring member and the point said first pressure lever is connected to said bracket and dis posed to exert downward force on the top rolls.

2. In a top roll assembly for fiber attenuating apparatus as defined in claim 1 in which adjustable means is provided for adjusting the level of said first pressure lever, said adjustable means being accessible at a point outwardly of said over arm, there being an opening through said over arm providing visible means of determining the position of said first pressure lever.

3. In an over arm as defined in claim 1 in which a yoke member connects the second pressure lever to said first pressure lever and the width of said second pressure lever is substantially equal the width of said U-shaped housing of the over arm to thereby maintain said second pressure lever in parallel alignment with said over arm.

4. In an over arm as defined in claim 1 in which a for ward portion of said second pressure lever holds and aligns one of said top rolls and the rear portion of said second pressure lever carries a roller which engages at selected positions an elongated connector bracket that extends transversely of a pair of said top rolls.

5. In an over arm as defined in claim 4 in which the roller is disc shaped and an elongated recess is provided in the top of said connector bracket in position to receive said roller and of a width substantially equal the width of said roller whereby said connector bracket is held against lateral shifting.

'6. In an over arm as defined in claim 4 in which the roller is connected to said second pressure lever by a pin, there being a plurality of spaced openings through said second pressure lever for receiving said pin whereby said roller is held at selected positions.

7. In an over arm as defined in claim 5 in which the base of said elongated recess is inclined in a direction to retard forward movement of said connector bracket.

8. In a top roll assembly for fiber attenuating apparatus including supporting roll stands, top rolls and bottom line rolls,

(a) a bracket extending transversely of a pair of said top rolls in position to apply downward pressure thereto and adapted to hold said top rolls in transverse alignment with said bracket,

(b) a double boss top nose bar carried by said bracket in parallel alignment with said top rolls,

(c) top aprons encircling said top nose bar and the adjacent to roll carried by said bracket,

(d) a double boss bottom nose bar carried by said bracket in parallel alignment with said top rolls and said top nose bar,

(e) bottom aprons encircling said bottom nose bar and an adjacent bottom line roll in position to contact the under surfaces of said top aprons,

(i) there being a longitudinally extending recess in the upper surface of said bracket intermediate said pair of rolls with the base of said recess being inclined longitudinally at an angle for a portion of the downward pressure exerted on said bracket to control forward thrust of said bracket and tension on the bottom aprons,

(g) a pressure roller mounted above said bracket with the lower surface thereof in engagement with the base of said recess,

(11) said roller being of a size to limit lateral movement of said bracket and permit free forward and rearward movement of said bracket relative to said roller whereby forward movement of said bracket is limited solely by said bottom aprons,

(i) and pressure means operatively connected to said roller to apply downward pressure thereto and .thereby impart downward pressure on said bracket.

9. A top roll assembly for fiber attenuating apparatus as definedin claim 8 in which vertically extending apron guide pins are carried by said top and bottom nose bars. e 10. A top roll assembly for fiber attenuating apparatus v as defined in clairn8 in which the base of the recess in 'said bracket is sloped downwardly and forwardly for a portion ofthe downward pressure exerted on said bracket i to restrain forward thrust of said bracket thereby reduc- 'ing andvcontrolling tension on the bottom aprons.

11. Atop rollassembly for fiber attenuating apparatus as defined in claim 8 in which vertically spaced, forwardly opening slots are provided in the forward portion of said References Citedlin the file of this patent UNITED STATESPATENTS' Solanas L Apr. 2, 1957 Starnes Sept. 30, 1958 Cole et a1. Dec. 26,1961

Butler July 3, 1962 

1. IN A TOP ROLL ASSEMBLY FOR FIBER ATTENUATING APPARATUS INCLUDING A SUPPORTING ROLL STAND, TOP ROLLS AND BOTTOM LINE ROLLS (A) AN OVER ARM HAVING A HOUSING OG GENERALLY INVERTED U-SHAPE AS VIEWED IN CROSS SECTION, (B) MEANS PIVOTALLY SUPPORTING SAID OVER ARM ADJACENT THE REAR OF SAID ROLL STAND WHEREBY SAID OVER ARM EXTENDS FORWARDLY THEREOF, (C) ADJUSTABLE MEANS TO LOOK SAID OVER ARM AGAINST UPWARD MOVEMENT RELATIVE TO SAID ROLL STAND, (D) AN INWARDLY PROJECTING ADJUSTABLE BRACKET CARRIED BY THE INNER SURFACE OF SAID OVER ARM, (E) MEANS TO HOLD SAID BRACKET IN SELECTED POSITIONS RELATIVE TO SAID OVER ARM, (F) A FIRST PRESSURE LEVER PIVOTALLY CONNECTED ADJACENT ONE END TO SAID BRACKET, (G) A SPRING MEMBER INTERPOSED BETWEEN THE OTHER END OF SAID FIRST PRESSURE LEVER AND SAID BRACKET TO EXERT FORCE IN A DIRECTION TO MOVE SAID OTHER END AWAY FROM SAID BRACKET, (H) AND A SECOND PRESSURE LEVER PIVOTALLY CONNECTED INTERMEDIATE ITS ENDS TO SAID FIRST PRESSURE LEVER BETWEEEN SAID SPRING MEMBER AND THE POINT SAID FIRST PRESSURE LEVER IS CONNECTED TO SAID BRACKET AND DISPOSED TO EXERT DOWNWARD FORCE ON THE TOP ROLLS. 